What is the best stabilizer for applique??

I am new to quilting and I had to go and start out doing two at the same time. Well now I have two that I just put into frames, because they are too stiff to sew. I tried freezer paper and wasn't very good at that. So I bought Heat and bond lite (It says its for applique) Now they are stiff. What would you guys suggest is the best for a newby? I'm pretty upset too because the lighthouse was going to be a x-mas gift.

I do a lot of fusible, raw edge applique and have always used Wonder Under Lite (or Medium if Hancock's is out of Lite). I have a friend who teaches at a vo-tech here in Oklahoma City and she always used Heat and Bond Lite and has no problem sewing through it. Are you doing hand quilting? If so, even the Wonder Under Lite may be difficult. I don't do any hand work so I don't know. Also, I have used spray baste to hold things in place until I get them stitched down. BTW I love your framed quilts. I do a lot of wall hangings but have never framed them. Going to do that soon. Happy Quilting.

heat & bond lite washes away- the stiffness goes away once your project is laundered- the no sew heat n bond does not get soft- it stays stiff but heat n bond lite and steam a seam lite both soften right up- also wonder under from pellon is another (one thats been around a long long time) is another sew -able- fusable that softens up - washes away once the project is stitched and laundered. i do alot of fusable applique & use heat n bond lite most of the time-
also- there is a difference between fusable for raw edge applique & stablizer- stablizers do not (stick) 2 pieces of fabric together- they only adhere to one piece-adding stability- those come in stay in (a light layer of fabric) tear away and wash away varieties- but are used more for embroidery and other sewing applications

They are both very nice and will be greatly appreciated, I am sure. Heat and Bond is not a stabilizer, but is a fusible. Freezer paper is used when making templates for applique. Stabilizers are usually used behind the foundation when machine appliquing to prevent pucker. So maybe you need to determine what your purpose is in in wanting "stabilizer."

Thank you all for replying. I guess I'll do a potholder or something small and try washing it after. I hope it softens up, because I found I am not very good at folding the seams under. Thanks again.
Also I hope its not considered cheating, but I used oil pastels to give some areas shading??

Last edited by mldulac; 06-19-2012 at 04:42 PM.
Reason: I forgot to say something.

Soft Shades and Misty Fuse are both products that are made especially for quilters (not crafters) and have been made to give the final product a softer hand. I don't care for any of the Heat and Bond or Steam a Seams. They are still too stiff. I like Misty Fuse much better and still need to try Soft Shades but I've heard very good things about it.